Ken North's APIBench is a benchmark kit used to do comparative performance tests of ODBC versus native (proprietary) SQL APIs. Published results were from benchmarks that used INTERSOLV DataDirect ODBC drivers, Oracle Call Interface, Informix Embedded SQL and Sybase Open Client CT-Library.
The 1995 benchmark results are available in Microsoft Word format from the Microsoft ftp site. Download benchmark.doc
You will find a description of the 1995 performance tests in "ODBC Branches Out" (DBMS, April 1996). The benchmark software is the subject of "Performance Testing, ODBC, and Native SQL APIs" (Dr. Dobb's Sourcebook of Database Programming, January/February 1996).
Performance Tests of Wire Protocol ODBC Drivers
Coming soon ... In 2002, Ken North conducted performance tests using wire protocol ODBC drivers.
APIBench is a 16-bit Windows client application written in C. It performs a series of SQL queries using ODBC and proprietary SQL libraries. The application accesses each SQL API from a separate dynamic link library (DLL). APIBench includes DLLs for ODBC 2.x, Informix ESQL, Oracle Call Interface and Sybase CT-Library. APIBench does not include vendor-supplied libraries, drivers or other ODBC components.
The source code was published in conjunction with the Dr. Dobb's article "Performance Testing, ODBC, and Native SQL APIs." Click here to download APIBENCH.ZIP (232k) from Dr. Dobb's ftp server. You can also get the source code on diskette, CD-ROM or Dr. Dobb's BBS. Try the Dr. Dobb's Web Site for more information.
When you extract files from APIBENCH.ZIP, you must use an option that preserves the original directory structure and sets up subdirectories. For PKUNZIP, use the -d option.
You are encouraged to read the documentation for your ODBC drivers and the articles mentioned above before trying to use APIBench. Failure to read the documentation and to properly set up ODBC data sources may affect performance.
Last update: September 22, 2002